Instant Oatmeal Packets – Various Flavors

Like most parents, I am a fan of convenience foods that are quick and easy to prepare. I’m not, however, a fan of convenience food prices, which seem to be anything BUT convenient. I’ve found that while my kids KNOW how to cook, if it requires effort on their part, they aren’t overly keen on making it for breakfast. In their defense, perhaps they aren’t morning people, most teens aren’t. Here is my favorite oatmeal recipe with variations that take less than 3 minutes to prepare each morning.

• 3 C. Quick Cooking Oats
• salt
• 8 small baggies

In a blender powder 1 c. of the oatmeal (it’s helpful to blend it 1/2 c. at a time for a finer powder). Into each of the 8 baggies place the following:

• 1/4 c. oats
• 2 Tbs of Powdered Oats
• 1/8 tsp salt

Flavor Variations: To each baggie of oatmeal add the following to achieve the desired flavors:

• Apple Cinnamon: 1 T. sugar, 1/4 tsp Cinnamon, 2 T. Chopped Dried Apples
• Brown Sugar/Cinnamon: 1 T. Brown Sugar & 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• Cinnamon Raisin: 1 T. Brown Sugar, 1/4 tsp Cinnamon, 1 T. Raisins
• Confetti: 1 tsp decorative sprinkles
• Cookies-n-Cream: 1 crushed Oreo & 1 T. Creamer
• Exploding: 1 T. Pop Rocks Candy (Great birthday Oatmeal)
• Fruit-n-Cream: 1 T. Creamer, 2 T. Dried Fruit
• Healthy Twist: 2 T. Wheat Germ
• S’More: 5 Mini Marshmallows, 1 T. mini Chocolate Chips
• Sweetened: 1 T. Powdered Sugar

To Use:
Empty the contents of 1 baggie to a bowl, Add 3/4 cup boiling water. Stir and let stand for 2 minutes. For thicker oatmeal, use less water – for thinner oatmeal, use more water.

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